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University: More time needed claim

THE rejection of the Cornwall University project's bid for cash by the Millennium
Commission, has resulted in another potential backer saying it needs more
time to decide.

Uncertainty still surrounds the Penzance University scheme with a crucial
meeting on Tuesday deciding to defer a decision on a £10 million award
until further information has been received. At the meeting of a European
monitoring committee which gave £10 million towards the Eden Millennium
project - members put back until February a decision on the £10 million
bid for the proposed University of Cornwall.

The scheme has already been rejected by the Millennium Commission, and now
Exeter University is being asked to provide more details on where the rest
of the funding would come from and how the campus, earmarked for Trereife,
Penzance, would boost the region's economy.

Exeter University is bidding for £10 million from the European Development
Fund towards developing a £30m 'scaled down' campus at Penzance. On Monday,
Exeter University Vice-Chancellor Sir Geoffrey Holland, describing Tuesday's
meeting of the monitoring committee as "crucial", had said if the
response was a negative one, it was difficult to see how the project could
proceed.

Following the meeting spokesman for Exeter University said of the deferment:
"it was certainly on the cards from our discussions that the decision
would be deferred. We remain optimistic and hope we will soon get a positive
decision."

A spokesman for the Government Office for the South West said: "The
Eden grant application will now go to the European Commission for final approval.
We hope the backers of University of Comwall are not disappointed. The committee
expressed its support for the plan. The decision by the Millennium Commission
not to award the project money is what has caused deferment. But any private
backers of the campus can take confidence from the fact that there is this
£10 million available for the project." The University Council will
meet in December to review the position and decide whether to press ahead
with the project.

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Last modification: 13th January 2002
Last information content change: 12th November 1998